Category: Blog Series Page 2 of 164

BOOK SPOTLIGHT (and GIVEAWAY): Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter

Today I’m very pleased to welcome the Book Tour for the sixth novel in the Soulwood series, Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter. Along with this spotlight post, I have a tantalizing little excerpt from the novel to share and I’ll be giving my take on the novel a little later (there’s some work stuff that’s come up that will push this back a bit). Those links’ll work when the posts go live in an hour or more. If you scroll down to the bottom of this post (or, you know, read it), you’ll find a nifty giveaway.

First, let’s take a look at Rift in the Soul.
Rift in the Soul Schedule Banner

Book Details:

Book Title: Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter
Publisher: Ace Books
Release date: March 5, 2024
Format: Ebook/Paperback (Audiobook will be released this summer)
Length: 382 pages
ISBN: 9780593335796
Rift in the Soul Cover

About the Book:

Nell Ingram and her team face a dire, supernatural evil in this newest thrilling paranormal procedural in the New York Times bestselling Soulwood series.

Nell Ingram draws her powers from deep in the earth, and uses them to help Psy-LED, the Psychometric Law Enforcement Division, which solves paranormal crimes. When a local vampire calls to report a dead body on her compound, Nell knows she and her team have to be ready for anything.

But the dead body is just the beginning of a mystery that involves supernaturals of all kinds, including some of the most powerful vampires in the country. As Nell gets closer to the truth, she begins to understand that the perpetrator is tracking her too—and that there is something personal about this crime. Something with roots that go almost as deep as those in Soulwood.

Praise for Faith Hunter’s Soulwood Series

“Hunter’s brand of supernatural is equal parts exciting, engaging and entertaining…Filled with high-stakes tension, Hunter’s storytelling is vivid and descriptive with edgy, sharp dialogue laced with humor.”RT Book Reviews

“Nell’s coming into her own as an independent woman…Hunter’s many fans will be delighted with her strong new heroine.”Publishers Weekly

“I love Nell and her PsyLED team and would happily read about their adventures for years.”Vampire Book Club

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ Apple Books ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Books-a-Million ~ Bookshop.org

About the Author:

Faith HunterFaith Hunter, urban fantasy writer, was born in Louisiana and raised all over the south. Hunter fell in love with reading in fifth grade, and best loved SciFi, fantasy, and gothic mystery. She decided to become a writer in high school, when a teacher told her she had talent. Now, she writes full-time, tries to keep house, and is a workaholic with a passion for RV travel, Japanese maples, orchids, white-water kayaking, and writing. She and her husband love to RV to whitewater rivers all over the Southeast.

Author of series: Skinwalker (feat. Jane Yellowrock, urban fantasy), Rogue Mage (Thorn St. Croix, urban fantasy), Junkyard Cats (Shining Smith, dystopian-esque Scifi), and Soulwood (Nell Ingram, paranormal procedural where an escapee from a cult, a solitary woman with deadly magic of her own, is hired to help PsyLED: a paranormal division of Homeland Security; find a missing child. Find out more about the author here: www.FaithHunter.net.

GIVEAWAY:

There’s a tour-wide giveaway open to US residents!

  • 4 Leather Bracelets (One Per Chosen Winner)
  • 5 Hand-Beaded Bookmarks (One for each respective winner)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If the Widget isn’t showing up, just click here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9751c04284/?

My thanks to Psst…Promotions for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including the book via NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group) they provided.

WWW Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Somehow, it feels like March is half over, no matter what my calendar says. Is it just me?

Eh, numbers were never my thing, anyway. Let’s talk about words.

 

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

I’m reading A Blight of Blackwings by Kevin Hearne, a mere four years after it was released (and four months after the final book in the trilogy was published), and am listening to Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane, read by Jonathan Davis on audiobook, the end of my most recent Kenzie/Gennaro revisit..

A Blight of BlackwingsBlank SpaceMoonlight Mile

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished T. L. Simpson’s Strong Like You, a dynamite debut, and The Body’s Keepers: A Social History of Kidney Failure and Its Treatments by Paul L. Kimmel, MD, read by Lane Hakel on audiobook.

Strong Like YouBlank SpaceThe Body’s Keepers

What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be the ARC of Rhythm and Clues by Olivia Blacke (which will surely be a fun time, like the first two in the series) and my next audiobook should be Dead Ground by M.W. Craven, read by John Banks, the only novel in the series I didn’t write about yet. Hopefully, I can fix that with revisiting it.

Rhythm and CluesBlank SpaceDead Ground

Are your books for the beginning of March more like lions or lambs?

Saturday Miscellany—3/2/24

Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
bullet Book bans? Make that “intellectual freedom challenges”—the reframing of the challenges Public Libraries are facing (whatever you may think of those challenges)
bullet A Simple Way to Build Intimacy: Reading Aloud—It’s behind NYT’s paywall, but it looks good.
bullet Mark Twain’s Obsession with Joan of Arc—I really didn’t know he was “obsessed” with her, but I appreciated this look at Twain (it also jibes well with According to Mark, a book I haven’t mentioned for a week or two)
bullet Where the Red Fern Grows was trending on Twitter this week, and I was comforted by seeing so many others sharing the same (self-inflicted) trauma that I have. Also, I learned/was reminded of this statue in Idaho Falls (finally, a reason for me to visit the town).
bullet The Biggest Differences Between the ‘Longmire’ Books and TV Series—odd that this is something written in 2024, but still a fun look back at the show.
bullet Announced this week: Safe Enough by Lee Child—”20 thrilling standalone short stories,” out in August.
bullet Speaking of announcements, Mushroom Blues Soundtrack was announced a couple of days ago. Looks great.
bullet A Beginner’s Guide to Falling in Love with Audiobooks
bullet I Have Bad Taste- Books I Feel Bad for Enjoying—The Orangutan Librarian fesses up.
bullet On My Radar: February 2024—Celeste brings a great list of links from the past month.
bullet Ways A Book Ages—surprising no one at all, Peat Long dropped something worth reading.

To help talk about backlist titles (and just for fun), What Was I Talking About 10 Years Ago Week?
(a very slow week, I should add)
bullet Chimera by Kelly Meding—(and a post I enjoyed reading for the first time in a decade or so)
bullet I mentioned the releases of Hammer of Angels by G. T. Almasi, The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, Honor’s Knight by Rachel Bach, and The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison.

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet I Only Read Murder by Ian Ferguson & Will Ferguson—a whodunit featuring a former TV star, amateur theater, and a town full of (likely quirky) suspects. Looks like a fun time.
bullet Criminal Justice by Ian Robinson—an undercover cop dances along the edge of the law. I asked Robinson a few quick questions about it yesterday.
bullet Morte Point by Rob Parker—The second Ben Bracken novel is a great ride, and has been released in a new edition.

Tweet from @bookculture 'it is a truth universally acknowledged that a person in possession of a large to read pile must be in want of another book'

A Few Quick Questions With…Ian Robinson

Criminal Justice by Ian Robinson CoverI was very excited this week to see that the good people over at The Good Folks have republished Ian Robinson’s dynamite debut, with a new title and with out a nom de plume. You can go read what I said about Criminal Justice‘s first incarnation back in 2018, here. I wanted to do something to celebrate this release and hopefully draw some eyes to Robinson’s work, so we hastily set up this Q&A. It’s a little different than my usual M.O. (it’s been years since I read the book for one thing, so I couldn’t ask a lot of specifics). I like the results, hopefully you do, too.

But first…what is Criminal Justice? (you should check out the publisher’s site for details on getting a copy)

The first book in a totally gripping hard-boiled crime fiction series 

Undercover detective Sam Batford is through with police budget cuts and ineffectual superiors. But has he gone rogue? 

He is sent to work with a serious crime team in London to take down a big drugs boss. Their chief, DCI Klara Winter, doesn’t appreciate Batford’s presence. The feeling is entirely reciprocal. 

Batford has his eyes on the money, except when they are drawn to Stoner, an attractive blonde who is pivotal to the organised crime syndicate’s operations. 

Now embroiled in the gang, as Batford plays one side against the other, the risk of his cover being blown increases. This comes to a head when he is faced with the option of confession or torture. 

Who will have the last laugh in this high-octane battle of wits? 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE is the first book in this riveting series of pulp crime thrillers by Ian Robinson. The second book, STATUS DRIFT, is coming soon. 


So, this is not your first time doing a Q&A here, but it’s the first time as Ian Robinson. What brought on the name change? I assume since most of your books are out now (with at least one more on the way) using this name that it’s going to stick?
A pleasure to be invited back on your blog. That’s a reasonable question, and the answer is yes, Ian Robinson is the name I’ll be writing under. I used Ian Patrick (my first and middle name) originally, as I’d just left the police due to ill health. I had a crippling fear of failure, rejection, and self-doubt. I left school at 16 with nothing and figured my books would bomb. Seven books later and, I guess, I proved myself to be wrong.

We’re supposed to be talking about Criminal Justice, so let’s focus on that for a bit. The publisher’s blurb is above–but let’s hear it from you—give the reader an elevator pitch for this book, and while we’re it, the Batford series.
I’m terrible at elevator pitches! If you enjoyed the TV series Line of Duty, then these books will appeal. If you like fast-paced thrillers, you won’t be disappointed. I inject some realities of policing within the fiction which gives the narrative a feel of authenticity you won’t get from other books in this genre.

What was behind the decision to re-brand this series now? You’ve said that the editing was updated, too—what kinds of (I’m assuming relatively minor) changes have been made to this?
I wanted to reach a new audience and I’ve been impressed with the way The Book Folks operate. They’ve helped me reach new readers with the Nash and Moretti series and getting my stories out there is what it’s about for me. I want people to be entertained. I want the reader to feel that time spent with my work has been of value. The story is the same as the original, but it’s been valuable for me to work with editors to ensure we got the maximum out of the novel in terms of structure and plot. Things have changed since it was first published, particularly with police departments and place names. The editing team were superb in picking these details up.

After all this time—and seven published books—what was it like coming back to Criminal Justice? Was it good to be reacquainted, or did you spend a lot of time second-guessing choices you made back then?
Great question. I didn’t second guess anything. I know how good these books are and will stand by them to the grave. I did realise that my mind wasn’t in a great place when I originally wrote the books, but that added to the creativity.

You won’t read another crime thriller series like this one. How can I claim that? I used my own policing experience to convey the adrenaline rush on the page. I’ve been in many confrontations, fights, and chases and I can express how this feels from reality. I didn’t read crime fiction either. The realities of the job were enough. This gave me the advantage of putting my own voice on paper. I feel this comes across in a fresh and exciting way and why the BBC optioned the originals for a six-part TV series. The producers could see this too. Sadly, it never progressed beyond the script outline as the pandemic hit the industry and decisions were taken to go in other directions as a result.

I will always be proud of these books, and I wish to acknowledge Chris McVeigh at Fahrenheit Press for supporting me with the originals. Times change, and I have too. I’m embarking on a new chapter in my writing and it feels wonderful to have Batford back with a new brand and to see where it takes him.

The last time we talked about Sam Batford, you mentioned that “writing about a corrupt man goes against all my core values.” Particularly in light of the new look that society is taking at policing in general, and police corruption in particular—is it harder to bring Batford back? Were you tempted to soften him up a bit (last time you said you tried, but it didn’t work) now?
Corruption is, and always will be, an issue for society and isn’t solely within the police. With any public body you’ll have issues of corruption. The beauty of creating a character like Batford is that you can write from a place that disturbs you and that’s where the writing takes on a life of its own. This is where the creative energy takes you to places you thought you’d never want to explore. It can be liberating in terms of story. My Nash and Moretti series is based on investigating murder so this limits how you can approach the writing in some way (to me anyway). With Batford, he is a cop with very few boundaries. He will cross the line, but he does have his own moral code he wouldn’t breach. I can explore the official side through Winter and her team and Batford’s world where anything could happen. Not being constrained in this way is liberating when it comes to the story.

According to your publisher, the second book, Status Drift, is coming soon, can you share the new title of the third book yet? More importantly (for me, anyway), does this rebranding open the door for further Batford books? Maybe a prequel?
There’s no confirmed title for book 3 and never say never for more from this character.

That’s not the definitive “yes” that I was hoping for, but it’s good enough. 🙂

What is next for Ian Robinson, author, in that case?
To remain grounded and not get hung up on the future. I’m waiting to see what the response is to Criminal Justice then I can decide on a direction to take. I’m hoping Batford will be positively received. I love this character and the scope to expand his world is exciting to me.

Thanks for your time, sir! It’s always a pleasure.


Readers—there’s no better time to introduce yourself to Ian Robinson and/or Sam Batford than right now. You won’t soon forget either of them.

A Few Quick Questions

WWW Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Yay, the month is almost over and I can get back to not having to overthink what I type in the Post Title!

So, speaking of February, I’ve mentioned before, but I need to say something one more time. I’m taking part in the fundraiser, I’m Reading Every Day for American Cancer Society this month, and I’d greatly appreciate your support.

Bernie Sanders saying I'm Once Again Asking For Your Support

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

I’m reading the ARC of Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter, which I’m really enjoying and seemingly not making much progress in. I’m listening to The Body’s Keepers: A Social History of Kidney Failure and Its Treatments by Paul L. Kimmel, MD, read by Lane Hakel on audiobook. It’s both fascinating and a solid reminder that I was right to avoid any career related to medicine.

Rift in the SoulBlank SpaceThe Body’s Keepers

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished Bradley Sides’s Crocodile Tears Didn’t Cause the Flood, a very strange book* that I meant to post about today. I also just listened to the mercifully brief An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten, translated by Marlaine Delargy, read by Suzanne Toren on audio.

Crocodile Tears Didn’t Cause the FloodBlank SpaceBlank SpaceAn Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good

* And I mean that in the best possible way.

What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be for Strong Like You by T. L. Simpson and I have no idea what my next audiobook might be. I haven’t even thought of it, really—there’s a decent chance that I’ll still be listening to The Body’s Keepers when I assemble next week’s WWW, so I’ve got time to decide.

Strong Like YouBlank Space???

What are you reading today—and for the “bonus day” tomorrow?

PUB DAY SPOTLIGHT: Price to Pay by Dave Sivers

To wish Happy Publication Day to the new Archer and Baines novel, Price to Pay by Dave Sivers, I’ve got this quick spotlight–with a newer blurb than I had for the Cover Reveal to better tempt you.

Book Details:

Book Title: Price to Pay by Dave Sivers
series: Archer and Baines, Book 7
Genre: Police Procedural
Format: eBook
Release Date: February 28, 2024
Price to Pay Cover

About the Book

‘Fast-paced, devious and twisty – the pages turned themselves! I loved it!’  – Liz Mistry


The more you have, the more you have to lose…

Following an arrest that went wrong, leaving her disfigured and her life in ruins, DCI Lizzie Archer transferred to Buckinghamshire’s Aylesbury Vale, hoping to rebuild her confidence, her career and her life. Eleven years later, she’s happily married, her career is back on track, and she has friends she would trust with her life.

But things can change in a heartbeat.

Meanwhile, her friend and colleague, DI Dan Baines, has worries of his own as the long shadow of the serial killer known as the Invisible Man continues to hang over him. When the chance comes to finally get answers to some troubling questions, he is almost afraid to learn the truth. Because sometimes the reality can be worse than your imagination.

Soon after receiving unsettling threats from local criminals, an old flame makes an unwelcome return to Lizzie’s life. Days later, a grisly murder too close to home plunges her into a nightmare that could cost her everything as suspicion falls on her and her husband, Dominic.

Dan and his team are sidelined from the murder investigation, but they’re not going to let that stop them when a friend is in trouble. And the clock is ticking. Because, if they can’t uncover the truth soon, things will get even worse for Lizzie and Dominic.

Go But the Book Now


My thanks to Overview Media for the invitation to participate in this reveal and the materials they provided.


Irresponsible Reader Pilcrow Icon

The Djinn’s Apple by Djamila Morani, translated by Sawad Hussain: The Scent of Death

The Djinn’s Apple Tour Banner

The Djinn's AppleThe Djinn’s Apple

by Djamila Morani , Sawad Hussain (Translator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Neem Tree Press
Publication Date: May 7, 2024
Format: eARC
Length: 160 pg.
Read Date: February 24, 2023
Buy from Bookshop.org Support Indie Bookstores

What’s The Djinn’s Apple About?

Nardeen is a remarkable twelve-year-old. Her father is a physician known for translating medical texts from a variety of languages into Arabic, and Nardeen soaks up his work. She has an astounding memory and ability to understand what she memorizes.

But due to some political intrigue that she doesn’t wholly understand, Nardeen and her family have to flee their home one night. Sadly, she’s the only one who survives.

Nardeen vows revenge on those responsible for her family’s murder—certain that a friend of her father’s is ultimately to blame.

But before then, she finds herself being taken under the wing of a legendary physician and teacher, Muallim Ishaq. He recognizes her gifts and her heritage from her father—he arranges (mostly by the force of his will) to have her learn at The Bimaristan, a hospital of great renown. There, she’s able to hone her skills and knowledge—and sharpen her tools, resolve, and ability to mete out that vengeance.

Father vs. Father

There are a handful of various conflicts in this book (like with any good book), but at the core, this book seems to be a conflict within Nardeen herself. On the one hand, she has her memories of her father and what he taught her—what he showed her by example—about the way to live. She also has to wrestle with what she’s told about her father—by those who profess to have admired him and those who worked against him.

On the other hand, she has her (for all intents and purposes) adoptive father, what he’s trying to teach her—what he shows her by example—about the way to live. She also has to wrestle with what she’s told about him—by those who profess to admire him and those who work against him.

In many ways, these two fathers line up—but in significant ways, they follow and lead her down divergent paths. So much of how the plotlines of this book resolve depends on Nardeen’s acceptance/rejection of what these men stand for.

The Setting

So, this takes place during the “golden age of Baghdad”—Harun al-Rashid’s rule of the Abbasid Caliphate from 786 to 809. Now, everything that I know about this period of time comes from the appendices to this novel “Harun Al-Rashid: The Golden Age of Baghdad” and “The Bimaristan.” As they are appendices, I read them afterward. So I came into this not knowing anything—which is a bit intimidating. And I figure I’m not alone in this (particularly for the intended YA audience, who probably haven’t had much opportunity to study Eigth-Century history).

But honestly? Anyone who reads Fantasy/SFF knows how to approach something like this—sure, this is a representation of actual history, but the same tools and imagination you need to understand Westeros, Panem, or the world of the Shadowhunters equip you to get into this world.

And, like with those worlds, after getting this taste, you’ll likely want to read more about it.

While reading, and since then, I do have to wonder a little bit about how much Morani was stretching things about the opportunities presented to women in this time and place. Not just for Nardeen, either—but all the women she encounters at the Bimaristan (and I’d be saying this if the city was Paris or Rome, not just because it’s Baghdad). But I’m willing to both suspend disbelief for the sake of a good story and to trust that someone who’s as familiar with Arabic literature as Morani is more than my hunches.

So, what did I think about The Djinn’s Apple?

This book hits the ground running—Morani doesn’t give you the opportunity to settle in and get comfortable in this world or anything like that. She thrusts the reader—and poor Nardeen—straight into life-or-death action. Nardeen has a slightly better understanding of what’s going on than the reader does—but not much. This was a great way to start this read—you don’t get the chance to indulge curiosity or get lulled into thinking it’s a different kind of book than it is—you have to rush to catch up and then keep up with Nardeen and only get the luxury of starting to understand the world until she’s (relatively) safe.

There were a couple of times that I wondered about the timelines and how well they worked. I assume I just missed something (and didn’t want to take the time to go back and check). It wasn’t anything that bugged me enough to look into it, but I would’ve appreciated things being a bit clearer.

The characters of Nardeen and Muallim were so well drawn, so vivid, and so compelling that I really wish we had more time with them. Particularly Muallim—this cantankerous genius is the kind of character I really respond to. Now, given the pacing of this book, that’s impossible. And Morani picked the better option for her story. But the eccentric teacher and the stubborn and gifted student is a combination that could’ve made for a lot of fun.

Somehow in the midst of this propulsive pacing, Morani is able to litter the book with some great observations, some drops of wisdom (primarily from the teacher and student), and memorable prose (some of that credit has to be given to Hussain as well).

This is a fast, immersive read that’ll leave you guessing from the beginning right up to the end. You’d be doing yourself a favor if you pick it up.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Neem Tree Press and The Write Reads via NetGalley.


4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

 

My thanks to The Write Reads for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Djinn’s Apple by Djamila Morani, translated by Sawad Hussain

This morning, I’m very pleased to welcome The Write Reads Ultimate Blog Tour for Djamila Morani’s The Djinn’s Apple. In addition to this Spotlight, my post about the book will be coming along soon. In the meantime, go check out https://twitter.com/WriteReadsTours—we’re in the middle of this tour and several bloggers have been writing interesting things about this book and and there are more to come you can find them all there. But for now, let’s learn a little bit about the book, shall we?

The Djinn’s Apple  Tour Banner

Book Details:

Title: The Djinn’s Apple by Djamila Morani, translated by Sawad Hussain
Genre: Historical Fiction / Crime & Mystery / Family
Age Category: Young Adule
Publisher: Neem Tree Press
Release date: February 29, 2024 (UK), May 7, 2024 (US)
Format: Paperback/Ebook
Length: 160 pages
The Djinn’s Apple Cover

About the Book:

Winner of an English PEN Translates Award.

Historical fiction meets crime fiction in The Djinn’s Apple, an award-winning YA murder mystery set in the Abbasid period—the golden age of Baghdad.

A ruthless murder. A magical herb. A mysterious manuscript.

When Nardeen’s home is stormed by angry men frantically in search of something—or someone—she is the only one who manages to escape. And after the rest of her family is left behind and murdered, Nardeen sets out on an unyielding mission to bring her family’s killers to justice, regardless of the cost…

Full of mystery and mayhem, The Djinn’s Apple is perfect for fans of Arabian NightsCity of Brass, and The Wrath and the Dawn.

Book Links:

Neem Tree Press ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ Goodreads

About the Author:

Djamila Morani Djamila Morani is an Algerian novelist and an Arabic language professor. Her first novel, released in 2015 and titled Taj el-Khatiaa, is set in the Abbasid period (like The Djinn’s Apple), but in Kazakh- stan. All of her works are fast-paced historical fiction pieces. She is yet to have a full-length work translated into English.

Author Links:

Twitter/X ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Write Reads for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Secrets of PEACE by T. A. Hernandez

I’m very pleased today to welcome The Write Reads Blog Tour for the first book in T. A. Hernandez’ Secrets of PEACE! If you take a look at the feed for https://twitter.com/WriteReadsTours over the next few days, you’ll see a lot of bloggers who did find the time to write interesting things about it. Secrets of PEACE was aone of fifteen finalists for the 2023 Book Blogger’s Novel of the Year Award, so you know there’s a lot of good to be said about it–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA. But in the meantime, let me tell you about the book.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Secrets of PEACE Tour Banner

Book Details:

Title: Secrets of PEACE
Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller
Age Category: New Adult
Format: Paperback/Ebook/Audiobook
Length: 273 pages
Publication Date: July 24, 2016
Secrets of PEACE Cover

About the Book:

Open your eyes. See the truth. Make a choice.

Nearly 30 years ago, the PEACE Project rose from the ruins of a global war to take power over a new America. Providing stability in exchange for absolute authority, the Project controls every aspect of citizens’ lives through each of its five units:

Protect
Enforce
Advance
Control
Eliminate

Raised in the Project since infancy, eighteen-year-old Zira has been trained as an assassin under the stern guidance of unit E-2’s Chairman Ryku. After she makes a careless mistake on an assignment, the chairman partners her with Jared, the best operative in her unit. Their partnership transforms into friendship as they work together and learn to rely on each other. But when misinformation causes a solo mission to backfire, Zira’s deepest loyalties and strongest relationships are tested in a place where even a hint of doubt can be perceived as treason.

The life she knows is falling apart, and nothing will ever look the same again.

Book Links:

Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon Canada ~ GoodreadsThe StoryGraph

About the Author:

T. A. Hernandez is a science fiction and fantasy author and long-time fan of speculative fiction. She grew up with her nose habitually stuck in a book and her mind constantly wandering to make-believe worlds full of magic and adventure. She began writing after reading J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings many years ago and is now happily engaged in an exciting and lifelong quest to tell captivating stories.

She is a clinical social worker and the proud mother of two girls. She also enjoys drawing, reading, graphic design, playing video games, and making happy memories with her family and friends.

Author Links:

Website ~ Instagram ~ TikTok ~ Twitter/X


My thanks to The Write Reads for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

Grandpappy’s Corner: Boop the Snoot by Ashlyn Anstee: Fast, Slow, and Cute Noses to Poke

Grandpappy's Corner Boop the Snoot Logo

Boop the Snoot

by Ashlyn Anstee

DETAILS:
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 5, 2022
Format: Board Book
Length: 16 pg.
Read Date: February 18, 2024
Buy from Bookshop.org Support Indie Bookstores

What’s Boop the Snoot About?

How many of these snoots could
a baby boop
if a baby could boop snoots?

This book begins with that age-old question that has had philosophers, dreamers, and that Owl from the Tootsie Pop commercials speculating.

From there we get a series of pictures of toddlers attempting to boop the snoots of various cute animals. And…well, that’s the book, really.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

It’s so, so cute. Anstee makes this energetic and eye-catching. The pictures are the star of this board book (as is typical) and the snoots are the stars of the art—although the various fingers going in for a boop come in a close second.

And as hard as you’d think it would be to make repeated index fingers engaging, Anstee pulls it off. This is good stuff.

How is it to Read Aloud?

It’s very clearly a book intended to get a child moving, there’s a snoot or two (or more) on every page to be booped. And that’s the focus of the book—the words are there, yeah, and kind of fun. But there’s not a lot to say, it’s just turn the page and look at a snoot, while saying essentially what you’ve said before.

The experience is fun, but the reading itself isn’t as integral as it is with other books (not a criticism, a description).

What did the Little Critter think of It?

I’m not sure how much he was entertained by the book on first blush—but he did like me saying “Boop.” “Snoot,” too, but not as much. Either way, those two words make this the kind of thing that he (or other kids like him) will have fun being read. I’m sure in a couple of months, he’ll get the idea about interacting with the book and he’ll start booping.

So, what did I think about Boop the Snoot?

So, the first time I brought this out for the Grandcritter wasn’t as fun as I’d hoped/expected—but that was because I brought it out too early. That’s on me. He liked looking at it, and hearing me make silly sounds.

I think this has promise—and delivers the silliness you’d expect from something with that name.

Give it a shot.


3 Stars

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